B . Wylde

She nibbled on them under Sonette's critical eye. A few moments later her new head maid spoke to one of the other girls. Luna wasn't really listening and blinked up in surprise as a second tray of food was added to the table and several slim volumes followed from Sonette's own hands.

"A creamy vegetable soup, the same meal the Princess Regent is having. And some roast beef and cucumber sandwiches. You're pale so it's good for you to have have such foods to increase your color. And the books are a popular series in my city chronicling the long reign of our Silent Queen, her fashions and her policies. I was told you enjoy such things. Let me know if there is anything else you need, Princess."

When Luna slowly shook her head, Sonette gave a little shrug and hum, settling herself by the fire and beginning to tat a complex and beautiful lace. Luna watched her for long moments before starting to eat in earnest and opening the first book.

Sonette kept Luna in a whirl of dress fittings, deportment sessions, and new complex lessons. She barely had a moment to think from the time she was roused in the morning to the moment she collapsed into her bed to sleep. There certainly wasn't time to sit in court with her stepmother, nor seek out Jaeger or even venture to the kitchens to try and find Amelia. Sonette was by her side every moment for nearly a month.

Finally came a morning where she wasn't briskly roused from bed, gowned and primped before she'd even really opened her eyes. Instead she woke on her own with one of her more junior maids half asleep in the chair by the fire. She pulled on her own wrapper and poured her own tea. Luna was contemplating the summer world out her window when the girl did wake. She waved off the stammered apologies, "Where is Sonette?"

"This is her day free. I can attend you though, your highness. I'm honored too. Sonette says I've an eye for braiding hair."

"A braid would work well. I wish for a picnic lunch and a day to myself as well. I'll tell the cook myself and you can fetch my tutors to the inner garden as well." She stood, straightening her spine. "Please help me get dressed."

The maid fumbled her into one of her simpler summer dresses and did an admirable job of braiding up her hair. Luna studied it in the mirror and added a little touch of the berry tasting tinted salve that was all the cosmetic Sonette would allow her to wear, even against Serena's complaints that she should look more like a young lady. “You bring my books to the gardens and I’ll go to get the picnic basket from Cook. I want to pick my meal myself. She hurried down to the kitchens, she and the Cook brightening to see eachother. The Cook gave serviceable little curtsey. “Well if it isn’t our own Princess Luna. It’s been too long, my lady. You’re too skinny.” “I thought I might have you pack me a picnic and study in the garden? If you would please. You know what I like best.” Cook waved her to the bench by the tables where the kitchen girls were preparing vegetables. “I’ll be happy to. A nice picnic will do you such good.” Cook began to bustle around, calling one of the girls from the table to help her. Luna turned to the other who was peeling vegetables and smiled, getting a shy smile in return. “Could you tell me, is Amelia in the scullery now? I want to see her.” The girl’s eyes widened and she shook her head. “Oh no, P-princess. There’s rumors, but she never came down here. One said she was a fine ladies maid, much too fine for the scullery and she packed off to the City by the Sea. Others say she went to her family in the mountains. But she’s never been here in the kitchens at all.” Luna blinked, repeating slowly. “Never in the kitchens? But…” Cook came back at that moment, insistent on calling a garden boy to carry the basket. Luna left for her studies, glad to be in the garden but puzzling over what she’d learned. Amelia’s family was the castle staff. Like Jaeger she was a foundling, and she’d never been too fine for anything she was asked to do. 

Luna had been listening to the murmured conversation between the maid and the Queen as she pretended to learn heraldic code, and the noble lineages of their land. As if she hadn't learned that at her father's knee and right under Serena's nose. Instead she let her eyes unfocus on the page and strained her ears to eavesdrop.

"Your highness, we must consider the Princess' skin. It is delicate at her age, and proper nutrition will do more for her than powders and lotions."

"If she is ever to make any kind of match at all she must look like less of a country chit. That is what I brought you here to do!" Serena snapped, her voice rising.

"Of course, your highness." Sonette said, her tone soothing, "And she is progressing in her dance and deportment lessons as well as her heraldic code and lineage lessons. I am fostering her interest in fashion as well…"

Luna knew well enough, Sonette had provided still more books and even some periodicals featuring the fashions or imagined fashions of distant locales. Luna's favorite had been what the article claimed was worn in the court of the Dark fae deep in the wild mountains. The supposed queen of the dark fae, the writer swore, had worn a gown made entirely out of butterfly wings. 

And the next morning her dressing table contained a few new pots and bottles. Sonette talked her through the process as she applied the lightest amounts of cosmetics to Luna’s face. Luna listened and then frowned into the mirror. “I look just the same.” “That’s the point,” Sonnet said with boundless patience, “You look more like yourself than you did before. A more perfect version if you like, since the point of cosmetics is to enhance how you look. Not to change it. The point of all the things we are doing is to enhance you and attract a suitable husband for you."

“No! No please!” Luna beat her fists on the dainty desk in the Princess-Regent’s study, eyes stinging and throat hurting from all the crying she had done since last night. “She’s my friend, you can’t just send her away!” 

Serena raised a perfect eyebrow, “It’s already done, she’s been sent to the scullery. She was a poor influence on you and as your stepmother I’ve a duty to see you’re not exposed to such things.” “That’s a lie! You know I was the one who wanted to go into the library! Amelia was just following my plan. You can’t punish her for what I’ve done.” “I can punish you both and intend to. You snuck into the library after being forbidden from it. You’ll spend this next week confined to your chambers with only minimal visitors allowed. I will be selecting new maids for you. Responsible young women who won’t lead you astray. Back in her room Luna flung herself on the bed and wrapped around a pillow. Amelia’s things were gone from the alcove where she had slept and the room had been tidied. She’d checked her sewing basket and at least her mother’s journal had still been there. Her maid, her friend, had been loyal and not betrayed the secret. For two days she curled in her curtained bed, reading her mother's journal until her eyes blurred and her head hurt. Her mother described a few visions, never anything meaningful to her distant daughter. A fall storm that would cause damage in the tiny nearby village. She had a word with the village grannies and the stout cottages became even stouter, easily holding back the storm.

She recognized the hen hanging, dead from a fox's mouth as it leapt across her path and she coaxed her studious brother to help her make sure their coop was secure. When the fox appeared, real this time and not a phantom, he had a wild goose and not one of her beloved hens. 

These were the sorts of things her mother saw. Nothing that would change the world, nothing about Luna or her father or even Serena. Her world was small and bright. Luna ached to share in it. 

Instead on the third day she got a new chief maid. Auntie had retired to watch over her own children's children in the castle town and her new head maid was named Sonette.

Sonette was everything Amelia had not been, dark haired, softly rounded in a terribly feminine way, and with the accent of the distant City by the Sea. Her warm gray eyes watched everything and the other maids' dresses and aprons seemed shabby and a bit worn compared to hers. But only for the first day or two, then it was clear whatever wizardry kept Sonette looking perfectly elegant had been extended to the others who set about tidying Luna and her rooms up as well.

Luna was not at all prepared to be tidied up. So when on the sixth day of being confined to her room her bed curtains were flung open and she was all but bodily tossed into a hot bath while all of her maids trooped around her rooms cleaning and freshening, Luna sat dumbly as Sonette washed her hair and took charge.

"Wait! Wait!" She yelped as the maid changing out the bed linens held up her mother's journal. She looked up at Sonette, "It's my mother's."

"Set it aside, we have greater concerns than a mere book. Look," here she gestured to Luna, "Look at what we are dealing with. A keepsake is of no concern." 

And with that she resumed picking the knots from Luna's pale long hair. "Tsch, are you a young lady or a long haired hound, your highness."

Luna was saved from having to answer by a procession of her maids with every stitch of clothing she owned marching in. Sonette directed them into piles.

"Oh, absolutely not." She said to the gown Luna had worn to her midwinter birthday. Luna's stomach twisted and she winced as she turned towards Sonette as best she could, her hair being yanked by the metal teeth of the comb.

"But! It's a gift from the tailor's guild! I like it!" 

"It's a perfectly serviceable gown." Sonette said, turning Luna's head back towards the bed and the piles of dresses. "And is fine for the daughter of a fine family. It is not fit for royalty, nor your coloring. You'd look like a wraith in such a thing. You need lighter colors and neutrals. Dark colors will wash you out even with cosmetics."

"Cosmetics?!" Luna yelped, turning her head again to stare at Sonette who raised a brow again, this time pulling the comb from Luna's hair.

"Your highness, really. I am trying to work here. You will be a diamond among pebbles if you will only let me. We will begin working with cosmetics in due time. I suppose the gown may stay in your wardrobe, but it will not be one you wear. Now let me tend to your hair and we will see how many suitable gowns you have." 

Luna looked between the shelves where her mother’s journals were and the shelves of history books she could use to further her studies were. She turned herself away from the histories with reluctance, gripping the top handle of her little candle lantern. She got to the journals, with only one more longing glance at the histories section. There would be time for that, later.

For now she pulled the first journal from the half full shelf. The thin spine cracked quietly as she opened it. It was thick cardboard and sturdy canvas unlike the leather bound later volumes. Luna sank down on the floor by the shelves with her lantern shining on the blank cover and opened the first page.

The writing was bold, but the hand practiced as she started to read. Luna imagined a voice as unlike Serena's as she could manage. 

I chanced upon this blank book in the castle town. I have always liked to put my thoughts to paper but Magnus tends to hoard it. The wretch. Just because he claims to need it more for his spells. But he did trade his prosperity cantrips for new winter cloaks for us while we were in the castle town today. I suppose I'm not that cross with him. I'm always worried I'll have a vision when we go into town. So many twists of fate cross there.

But nothing happened, nothing ever seems to and Magnus says I worry too much. He can talk, his magic is so much more biddable than mine. Words and gestures and he can scribe changes into the world. Ugh. Brothers.

I told him he ought to write a spell that makes foresight useful. He hugged me. Ah well. Brothers.

Luna rubbed at her eyes before the tears on her lashes could fall and smudge the pages. She pushed the book away from her gently, then covered her face with her hands as the tears fell faster and great gasping sobs pushed out of her chest. The noise of her crying filled the library but she couldn't make herself stop.Though she had never known her mother, only Serena, she felt a deep relief and grief that she wasn’t alone in her experience of strange powers. She clutched the book to her chest and scrubbed at her chest, even pulling up the skirt of her robe to muffle herself and wipe away tears. It didn’t help so she hurried to the histories section and started to pull books down at random. Luna’s hope was if she hurried she and Amelia could rush off to her room. But midway through snatching her fourth history she heard a scuffling outside the door and then Amelia’s outraged voice. The doors were flung open and in strode two of the Princess-Consort’s lackey knights. One had a lantern raised high and the other had Amelia who was struggling and cursing him with several terms Luna had never heard before. 

“Slow down and think. Is it important right now? Isn’t it more important to focus on what’s happening now. On your lessons and proving to the Council you’re fit to be queen then on some walk in the woods you might take one day?” Jaeger’s arm was tight around her shoulder and Luna met his eyes, aware of how warm he was and how right too. “Yes.” She said softly, finally relaxing. “You are right. Still. If you get a chance can you get my mother’s journals from the library? I’m not allowed in anymore.” “Of course.” His fingers slid over her hair once more and Luna felt the last of her worry about the vision fading away. It wasn’t important, she had bigger problems after all. 

Luna waited a week, but with spring coming, the court wanted amusements and often rode out on picnics or promenades. The Princess Regent required Jaeger for each and everyone of these, Luna saw him at dinners and court but he did not seek her out, or mention any attempts on the library. Finally she screwed up her courage and sidled up to him after court while Serena was occupied with an ongoing discussion about changes to how taxes were being collected. “Jaeger, have you read anything interesting lately?” She asked softly, eyes flicking up to his face and then away, her arms clasped behind her back. He frowned down at her, lips parted before realization dawned and the frown increased slightly. “I thought you had decided not to pursue that right now. You know your lessons are more important, even if you think they’re frivolous. Doing them is what will prove to the council you’re ready to rule.” Luna’s mouth opened now, her eyes falling away from his though the rebuke had been kindly said. It still sounded like the Princess Regent’s words from someone she thought supported her and the shock of that left her adrift, uncertain and with a simmering anger. For a moment she thought of answering him, but was unsure of how her voice would come out. Instead she gave a curt nod and turned away though he tried to quietly call her back. Her eyes locked for a moment with Serena’s, cool and smug, but she kept going working to keep her head up and her steps light. Ladies did not stomp off to bed in a huff. Her old friend was clearly spending too much time with Serena but there was nothing Luna could do about that. So she sat with Amelia the next morning, sharing her meal with the maid and hatching a plan. “I’m not allowed into the library since you aren’t. None of your maids are.” Amelia ruffled her hair under her kerchief and frowned at the tea set. She split a bun and set the larger portion on Luna’s plate. Luna broke off a piece and ate it automatically, Amelia would fuss if she didn’t and she’d tell the rest of the maids. Who would also fuss at her. 

Luna stood at the back of the gathered knots of courtiers, studying the people in front of her. The court was dressed in the colors and styles of spring though there was still a thin grayish layer of snow on the ground. They were gossiping softly, the sound of quiet voices as meaningless as the rustle of leaves in the breeze. A few glanced at her and away quickly when they realized she was watching them in turn. 

At the far end of the hall her stepmother presided over the room from her solitary chair on the dias. A wreath of crocus and snowdrops was woven through her new ornate crown. There was a footstool on the third step down, a replacement for the small ornate chair her father had commissioned to sit beside his throne. Clearly she'd argued in open court one too many times with Princess Regent Serena to be allowed to sit on the dais anymore.

Luna’s bit the insides of her lips and breathed out slowly. Another fight would only make things worse and a highly public fight would probably see even the stool removed. She stepped forward, the heavy silk gown she wore nearly silent as she walked down the mosaic path to the throne. The stone and glass path of flowers was as familiar to her as her own fingers and the coolness of it beneath her slippers was bolstering. For a moment the scene shifted in her mind.

The path beneath her feet was flowers and moss, giving slightly beneath bare and aching feet. The courtiers were trees or bushes and their uncertain whispers became the twittering of birds. The sun where it showed between the leaves and dappled her skin was summer hot. Then the moment was past and Luna made an effort to look bored. The cloying smell of her stepmother's rose perfume filled her nose, banishing the last of her vision.

She yawned as she walked to the library the next morning, a minute or two late for her morning lessons. She hesitated as she passed the gates that closed off the royal family’s private collection. Technically as the Princess Royal she could read any book from that section she wanted. Luna slowed her steps further, looking at a small ornate shelf that held her father and mother’s journals. She turned away from the books, feeling strangely raw. Maybe she'd read her father's journals one day, but not yet. 

Instead she walked into her arithmetic lesson only to find one of the royal guards waiting for her instead of her tutor. The blank-faced man escorted her to the Princess Regent's study where Serena smiled brightly at her as she explained the change in Luna's lesson plans.

“In short, my tutors have been dismissed and I'm forbidden from the library?” Her voice was careful, polite and soft as she studied her stepmother's face. Apparently it wasn't enough as Serena's eyebrows drew down and her mouth twisted. 

“You don't need them. Studying things like finances, law and taxes is far too serious. We have advisors for such things. You'll have dancing lessons, memorize classical poetry and the heraldic code instead." A book was thrust into her hands, Luna grasped it automatically. 

“Memorize that. You'll recite for the court at the end of the week.” Serena waved her out, Luna heard as she moved towards the door. "Call for my Huntsman. I wish to go out falconing."

She started to turn but didn't get half way before she decided that hunting probably wasn't something Ladies did. Only Queens. Her shoulders slumping, Luna looked down at the floor. She didn't see Jaeger until his shoulder knocked into hers. He gave her a small quizzical smile but she just hurried on without returning it. She found one of the lesser used sitting rooms, out of fashion in the winter with its dismal views of the snow covered gardens. She leafed wearily through the poetry book. Jaeger found her there after lunch, his court clothing suggesting that her stepmother had not gone falconing after all.

“Why don't you come and visit the stables with me.” He knelt by her chair and closed the book that had been open to the same page on her lap for nearly ten minutes. Luna lifted her head and looked at him.

“Ladies only ride in the summer, Huntsman Jaeger.” Her voice was solemn and prim as she repeated one of Serena’s harped on maxims. He drew back warily, his brows coming together before a smile bloomed and warmed her heart.

“Luna. I doubt anyone has accused you of being a lady.” His deep voice carried the same solemn note and the young man was rewarded with the first hint of a smile he had seen in weeks. She climbed out of the chair and took his hand in hers.

“Yes. I want to go to the stables. Can I sit up on your horse?” Jaeger nodded as he fetched her heavy winter cloak.

“Of course. If that's what you want. I'll even walk him around the corral for you.” Luna gave another small sad smile and Jaeger gently mussed her silvery hair.

 It wasn't long before she had her gloved hands buried in the charcoal mane of the draft horse Jaeger rode. He jogged in front of them encouraging the horse to trot and make her laugh as she bounced along. It was a recreation that they had enjoyed ever since the young man had entered her father's service. Jaeger wasn't quite a knight as he had been born common and tradition did not allow commoners to become knights, but his position as the Royal Huntsman and Champion afforded him special considerations. Like occasionally looking after wayward little Princesses.

Luna laughed and directed him about the castle grounds with delighted imperiousness. 

“Right, Highness.” He said playing up the country accent that palace living had softened. 

“Oh! Oh! Shall we go to the chapel, Jaeger?” Luna clasped her hands atop the horse as Jaeger turned the steed. He gave a little flourish of a bow.

“As my lady wishes.” His court accent was perfect now and his tanned face split in a white toothed smile. They headed towards the gate, crossing the courtyard beneath the castle windows. Movement flashed in the corner of Luna's vision and she looked up at the windows of the Princess Regent's study. Her stepmother stood behind the glass watching the pair in the courtyard, looking down her nose. She might have smiled gently. Luna watched her, not realizing that Jaeger’s pace was slowing until the horse fully stopped. 

“Huntsman Jaeger!” She pulled her gaze from the window as a page ran mellpell up to them. He was older than Luna but younger than Jaeger. His cheeks were red with cold and exertion. The day seemed to dim around them as he caught his breath.

“Huntsman Jaeger, her Royal Majesty, the Princess Regent requests your presence immediately. And-” he gave a soulful glance at Luna.

“Reminds her Highness, the Princess Royal that Ladies do not ride in the winter.” The boy backed away quickly as Jaeger lifted Luna down from the saddle. He used the move to mask a small hug.

“It's alright, P-… Luna.” 

“Jaeger!” She yelped, ancient lawmaking forgotten as she scrambled to her feet to hug him. He wrapped her in a one armed, horse, hay and pine scented embrace. She hurried for a vase and filled it with water from her wash pitcher. Jaeger plucked one of the lilies from the other flowers and tucked it behind her ear. Luna’s heart warmed, and she leaned on him again as she put the rest into the vase and arranged them to an effect she liked. They looked at the flowers together as she sighed. “They’re perfect.”

“Yes,” He said, turning to smile at her. “They suit you.” A moment passed as they smiled at each other then he chuckled and held out his arm formally. “May I escort you to your birthday dinner?” “It’s just dinner. The Princess Regent was very firm about that, but yes. I’d be delighted by your escort.” She slid her arm into his, ignoring how his smile faded and his head tipped questioningly. But he didn’t actually ask and she didn’t elaborate as they walked together toward the dining room.

Jaeger walked her up to the royal table and pulled out her chair. Luna curtseyed to him with a quick grin and seated herself so he could push her chair in. Luna extended her hand to him. "My thanks, Huntsman."

Jaeger took it and bowed over it, murmuring so quietly Luna only barely heard it herself. "I am honored, my Queen."

She started but he only grinned at her as he straightened. The grin fell away to a polite courtly smile as Luna heard a step behind her. "Your Highness."

"Huntsman. Thank you for your escort of our dear Princess Royal."

Jaeger's eyes flicked to Luna's but he bowed and withdrew. Luna turned to her stepmother, who looked away from the young man's retreating back to study her. "An interesting choice of gown for dinner."

Luna looked out over the court. "The wool for the gown came from sheep in the mountain foothills, the embroidery thread was dyed in the castle village and the needlework was done here in the castle. This gown is of our kingdom. You asked me to contemplate what it means to be a ruler. I think it means being aware of our people from the least shepard to the members of the Council."

Serena raised a cool eyebrow at her. "I see. An admirable stance to take, if naive. Now it's time for dinner." 

She looked away dismissing Luna and raising a hand to begin the dinner service. The tea felt distant as the food was brought out. Luna wasn't certain at first but her portions seemed smaller than usual. The roast fowl, Luna's favorite, cinched it. Instead of an entire small bird she was only served half of one. She lifted her head to call the server back but Serena's cool smile stopped her. "Really Luna dear, you do eat far too much. That's more than enough food for a proper lady." 

Amelia woke her hours later, all of Luna’s maids arrayed behind her, mostly grinning as if they were up to something though a couple looked nervous as they all stepped back to reveal a lovely little tea of cakes and sweets from the village festival. They crowded around her as she burst into tears again, flinging herself into the group of them and hugging indiscriminately. She was petted and wished a happy birthday before being firmly settled in the center of the tea and treated to the gossip of the castle as she had been when she was much younger. Luna was happy enough to tuck her stocking feet up under the warm layers of her gown and listen to the older maids tease Amelia about a certain cook's apprentice with her lovely golden braids. “You even bought her that red ribbon didn’t you!” teased one of the older girls, Amelia blushed and grinned. “She loved it.” Luna considered if she felt slighted that she hadn’t gotten any gifts when it was traditional for one to give their friends gifts at midwinter and it was her birthday. Looking around though that seemed ungrateful and after all her maids had spent their money on the treats they’d all shared. “Thank you all for the tea.” Luna said with a small smile, curled over her warm cup. “Oooh, Princess! If you really want to thank us, tell us who strikes your fancy among the castle folks.” Luna found herself in the center of all their eyes. She gaped at the grinning group of maids, all except Amelia who had her lips pressed together and eyes averted. 

The chief of her maids who had served her father’s late mother and dangled Luna as a babe on her knee, affectionately called Auntie by most of the castle, cleared her throat.She cast a beady eye over the group. “The lad our Luna fancies should be plain to anyone with eyes. If you don’t know then you’re blinder than me.” There was a general outcry at Auntie for that statement but no one pushed Luna further as Amelia brought up the village bonfire and the dances. More teasing ensued then, the maids pouncing on each other about who they would dance with. Finally the sun was setting and the maids swept out, shooed along by Auntie. The old woman helped Luna out of her sleep crumpled and tearstained gown and into a fresh shift. They settled by long habit in a chair and footstool that stood in front of the fireplace. Auntie ran a brush through Luna’s white locks, another long habit of theirs. Luna let the familiarity of the situation lull her, her eyes half closing. “Auntie, what did you mean about me fancying a lad? I don’t think I do?” Luna turned her head, the brush tugging through the long locks. Auntie smiled at her, her eyes vanishing in a nest of wrinkles. “You’ll know when you know, my dear. And until then you needn’t worry about such things.” Auntie laid the brush aside and Luna turned to face the fire again as the old woman slowly arranged her hair in a complex braid. Luna thought of asking her about the lessons Serena had mentioned but she didn’t know where to start asking questions or if Auntie would even have any answers. Luna watched the old woman pick out a somber wool gown dyed the color of winter firs but embroidered with greens and reds of holly. It was a fine version of what any maid in their kingdom might wear, and Luna knew it had been a gift to her from the tailor's guild last year. It was warm, comfortable and appropriate for mourning as were the rest of the pieces the old woman chose for her. Luna beamed at her for it as she wrapped a black shawl over the outfit and waved Luna back to the settle. Her eyes fixed on Luna’s. “You should know it was young Amelia that was behind that little tea we had, coaxing all the girls to put in a few coins for the treats.” “I’ll thank her properly, Auntie!” “I know you will, my dear.”

There was a brief pause and then the buzz of conversation in the chamber resumed, the council discussing the fate of the Kingdom in low strained voices as Serena presided from her father’s seat at the head. Serena avoided Luna’s gaze, looking instead down the table as the discussion continued. Luna took in the discussion as she paced to her father's seat. Seven councilors kept glancing at Serena for her approval, three seemed unsure and two rose to bow to her with murmurs of grave greeting. She took their hands and pressed her fingers into them firmly, meeting their eyes and nodding. Then she was at Serena’s side and she raised her voice, trying to keep it from breaking or shaking. “You have no right to that seat, princess-consort. You have no voice on this Council.” That silenced the council for a moment and Luna turned, hands clenching at her sides. Now her voice broke, but she couldn’t help the words that spilled out. “How dare you! All of you! My father has only just been laid in his g-grave! How dare you,” She rounded on Serena, tears on her cheeks. “Grab for power like this when the kingdom is in mourning. Did you even love him!?” The princess-consort’s face paled, bright spots of red appearing on her cheeks. “The kingdom is in disarray and that must be dealt with, Princess. But you are right, this seat is not mine. Nor is it yours. And I think you have shown the council exactly why you are unfit to take it at this time.” Luna’s stomach twisted, and she turned to the faces of the council, the people who had advised her father and helped him rule. There was grief and compassion on some faces, disapproval on more but it was clear that not one of them would voice support for a girl of thirteen to assume the throne. Her throat closed as Serena called Jaeger to take her back to her rooms. His expression was mulish and for a moment Luna thought he would lose his temper on the council. But he just took her arm and they walked back to her rooms in the same bubble of voices falling silent that they had come with. A quiet decree hours later announced Serena as the Princess Regent. Luna did not bother to leave her room for it. 

Luna wasn’t sure if she was miserable or relieved when midwinter came and Amelia brought her breakfast to her in her rooms, instead of helping her dress for the exuberant festivities that the castle had always thrown for her birthdays. Instead she was escorted to the Princess Regent’s study, a small sunroom that had been redone for the purpose. Serena stood looking out at the winter gardens, she half turned as Luna curtseyed and took a seat before the ash desk that her stepmother had commissioned, there were few papers on it, and her newly crafted Regency seal with golden wax, no pens or ink for writing nor books for research. “It would be inappropriate for the castle to celebrate your birthday so soon after your father’s death and on a village holiday. So we will not. You are fourteen now and should display the maturity of your age. Soon you will begin the lessons most important to your station, ones your father neglected in his indulgence of your headstrong nature. Spend today in quiet reflection of what it means to be a ruler since you have already declared you believe yourself ready to do so.” Luna pressed her lips hard together, glaring at Serena’s profile. She managed her response in a low voice that held a touch of the anger that simmered in her stomach at this high handed move. “Yes, stepmother. Of course, stepmother. May I be excused then?” 

He breathed for another week, but never woke from his fretful sleep. Luna sat by his bedside holding his hand as much as she was allowed and wept every time Jaeger or Amelia drew her away. She became a ghost of a child, eating what was put before her and listening absently to stories that were read to her. All the while the snow fell.

The funeral was small - with a larger service planned once travel became possible again. They traveled through tunnels dug in the deep snow to the chapel and the graveside. The handful of dirt Luna threw atop her father's coffin was muddy with ice and splattered. Beside her princess-consort Serena's face might have been carved from marble - her makeup so skillfully applied that the redness of her eyes was barely noticeable. Luna held her cold hand tightly beside the coffin. Luna barely found the energy to eat breakfast after Amelia coaxed her out of bed with her favorite tea and the Cook’s rare sweet nut buns. She’d lain awake half the night weeping, only to exhaust herself and wake again in the small hours to cry more when she realized she couldn’t run to her father and tell him about the terrible nightmare he’d died. Because the nightmare was her world.

Teaching myself how to make timelapses of my work! I had to do a self portrait and I have been embracing my inner chaos this year, so I'm currently a lil opossum!

"Princess Luna!" Cried her maids far, far below the pale haired Princess' unsteady perch on the roof of the dilapidated wizard’s tower. She was watching the blue sky, scanning it eagerly for clouds. Her stepmother’s magic mirror had promised it would snow today and she wanted to watch the first flakes fall, whirling down into the castle courtyard and onto the battlements. She clung with both hands to the base of the spinning wind spire. The chill of the wind sent tingles down her back and the faint smell of winter thrilled in her young blood. Luna leaned further staring at a certain spot in the sky where a single white fluffy cloud was floating along serenely. It taunted her with its promise. 

"Princess." muttered a deep voice close to her ear. Luna squeaked and let go of the tower altogether- better to tumble to her doom on the flagstones below than be caught by the old wizard’s ghost! She started to slip down the steep grade but a pair of muscled arms caught up the girl and lifted her out of harm's way. Jaeger- the princess-consort’s Huntsman and Champion lifted her up and fixed her with a piercing look.

"Really? You'll put your poor royal father in his grave far too soon with such dangerous antics, Luna." He chastised her as he climbed easily down the wall into the courtyard, Luna clinging to his shoulders. On the ground, Luna's worried maids bundled her up in soft white furs to keep her from the cold. They hurried her towards the dining room where her father and stepmother were eating breakfast. Her youngest and favorite maid, Amelia, walked beside her and whispered “I can’t believe you climbed the tower!” “I didn’t,” Luna said out of the side of her mouth. “I took the stairs.” She winked at Amelia who snorted into her hands, an unruly lock of blonde hair falling out of her kerchief. The undignified noises earned them both a dry look from Luna's chief maid, Auntie, as they passed into the dining room. Her stepmother was surrounded on her right by a cloud of beautiful ladies, their voices like the morning birds. So long as those birds were chickens. Her father sat with his noble hunting party at his left, Luna straightened at the sight. Maybe if she asked nicely she could spend the day hunting instead of sewing the solar with Serena and the other ladies.

"Ah Jaeger, I see you have recovered Luna from the perilous wizard’s tower. Daughter, would you join us?"

Her father’s smile lit up the Princess’ morning even more than the thought of snow did. Luna hurried up to sit across from her father, while her maids dispersed to their various places among the tables. She settled into the cushioned chair that her father had given to her at spring solstice when he had decreed her tall enough to join the adults. She grabbed a large steak, pairing it with eggs and was reaching for the mulled wine that her father’s men were passing about when her stepmother softly cleared her throat.

"Really, Luna, my sweet, shouldn't you have fruit juice instead? You are far too young to have wine with breakfast." Her tone implied that Luna was far too young to even be allowed in the same room as the adults, and she gave her husband a side long look from under her lashes. He nodded and the bottle of wine was whisked out of her reach. Luna’s goblet was instead filled with juice- too sweet and without that wonderful spicy tingle that the mulled wine had. She frowned at Serena so hard it made her face hurt. Serena ignored her so Luna turned her sulky focus to her eggs. They were quite tasty, as was the steak. She reached for more.

"Luna, dear. Really! Young ladies eat lightly." Came the reproof of her stepmother as Luna devoured the second steak. The king looked over, raising a brow. Luna gave her a practiced sorrowful look, her lips trembling ever so slightly. The woman nibbled at a slice of late fall apple and tilted her head, her eyes narrowing against the ploy.

"But Stepmother, I am so very hungry. Perhaps just this once?" Luna murmured and her father chuckled, taking a sip from his cup of wine before saying.

"Come Serena, certainly she is tall for her age, perhaps when she is taller still we may call her a young lady and encourage her to eat less. But for now let the child eat her fill." He gave Luna another small steak and smiled at her, the corners of his brown eyes crinkling.

"Here poppet, you'll need your strength to practice your climbing." He winked at her as she cut into it. Out of the corner of her eye she saw her stepmother's eyes lift heavenward. Luna squashed the urge to roll her eyes right back and focused on the steak in front of her. As the King, Father’s words carried more weight than stepmother's as the princess-consort. He was the King and Luna would be the Queen after him. Her stepmother had tried many times to influence the staff to begin grooming Luna into a “lady”. But Father only laughed at the idea. He had told Luna that no Queen should be a good lady for how could she rule if she was too proud to go out in the fields and work with the farmers or go into the forest and help find a lost child. No, Father would not let Serena make her a fine lady and Luna liked it that way.

She ate the last steak slowly watching for signs of being full and found them only after she had chewed her very last bite. She turned to her father and clasped her hands, as she sat up straight in her seat.

“What are you hunting today, Papa?” King Kellan tucked away a bite of his own hearty breakfast before answering her and his reply was serious.

“We are hunting a boar that was sighted in the foot hill forests, Luna. This is no falconing expedition. So you will stay here with your stepmother today.” Luna felt a chill prickle along her skin at the idea. Wild boar were dangerous to hunt and killed several hunters each year. Luna bit her lip, her hands tightening around each other. She could almost hear the sounds of the hunt, the screaming of the boar, the frantic shouts of the hunters. It filled her ears until she sucked in a breath. Her ears rang as her father's conversation with one of his men came back into focus.

Luna  reached across the table and rested her fingertips on the back of her father's hand. “Do you have to go? I-” She said so quietly that her father had to lean in to hear her. Luna felt as though she were forcing the words out. “I have a bad feeling, Papa.”

“I do have to go, poppet. But Jaeger and all my huntsmen will be there to protect me. It's for the good of the kingdom and safety of our people.” Luna nodded and looked long and hard at Jaeger who looked back at her and nodded. He made the secret sign that they had invented for communicating their understanding, tapping three fingers on his lips as if he were thinking. Luna was satisfied and her father squeezed her hand.

She knew that her father and Jaeger would take extra care now. Her mother had been gifted with strange powers so no one in the palace doubted that Luna could warn them of the coming tragedy and perhaps with that faint warning it could be avoided. 

When her stepmother rose a few moments later, Luna stood as well. She hurried around the table to hug her father. No words were exchanged, they didn't need them. Accompanied by both sets of their maids Luna and her stepmother went off to the solar to sew. As she settled in the window seat she regarded the clear sky with a moment of wistfulness. Her peace didn't last long as Amelia hurried up with her small basket of needlework.

Luna didn’t enjoy embroidery and preferred to read but lately she had been working on a needlepoint of something she had seen in her dreams. She dreamt that a black wolf sat in the snow next to her mother’s grave and in its mouth were red roses. The image had struck her so strongly that she sketched it out and secretly began to embroider it. In her eyes it was more like a painting than needlework. Wolves were not a topic that her father or the court approved of but she felt at peace as she worked on her little project.

Even though she’d tried to keep it hidden one of her stepmother's ladies in waiting ladies had seen it hanging out of her basket and reported it to Serena. While it wasn’t exactly appropriate in subject matter the princess-consort was just pleased that Luna was plying a needle and she’d allowed the work to continue and even kept the secret from Luna’s father. She had even regularly requested to see the progress and given Luna many tiresome tips for improvement.

So Luna worked diligently, white head bowed over the cloth bringing her dream image to life. As she concentrated on the cloth she replayed the dream that had sparked it. She'd walked through the castle gates and to the small church that sat just outside the castle village on the edge of the forest. In the snowy pine woods the black wolf had waited. She'd followed it to the ruined cathedral - or what her mind thought it would look like. 

There really was a cathedral in the woods, but Luna had never seen it. After her mother had died from a winter wolf attack on the grounds the priests had refused to stay there. Her father had built a smaller chapel in the castle village for them.There was a rumor that the spirit of the late Queen roamed the woods, helping lost travellers and children. Luna had snuck out a handful of times hoping to see her, but never had. That pervading belief was one of the reasons that Luna's stepmother was the princess-consort and not the Queen. Her father loved his wife but the people cherished their late Queen.

Luna's mother had truly ruled alongside her husband, ever willing to go out among the people and work or tend the sick. Many of the young servants in the castle owed their lives to Luna's mother's kindness. She had insisted after a terrible winter of wolf attacks and illness on taking in all the orphans from all the villages in their little kingdom.

The princess-consort's champion Jaeger was one of these. A refugee who had been nearly the only survivor of his village. He had carried the two surviving babies from the decimated village to the castle in his own four year old-arms. Jaeger had joined her father's men as soon as he'd grown old enough to lift a blade and had been known for his strength of arm ever since. One of the babies had been her own maid Amelia, not quite court polished but as stalwart a friend as any girl could want with a sensible head on her shoulders. They had been Luna's dearest friends for as long as she could remember.

Luna watched through the window as the hunting party rode out. Her father was smiling as the wind blew back his hair. The sun glinted on the pale golden circlet that marked him as king. Luna reached up to the silver circlet at her own brow as the freezing fear ate at her again. Jaeger lifted his face to look at the window where she sat and raised a hand to salute her. Luna's father looked back and laughed, raising a hand to wave. Suddenly sure, she leapt up and ran for the door of the sewing room.

"Luna!" came the exasperated voice of the princess-consort. "Really!”

Before she’d even gained the stairs she was being gently smothered by the colorful  crowd of the royal maids, like a cloud of giant insistent butterflies. The princess-consort's hand came down hard on her shoulder pushing her firmly back towards the solar. Luna planted her feet and pushed back with all her might.

“I must go to Father! I must! I must!” Her voice rose  to a breathless sob. The fluttering gowns agitated around her as she screamed and cried. Princess Serena even stepped back from her. But before Luna could lunge away the princess-consort backhanded her hard across the face. Luna's head snapped to the side, leaving her staring out the window at the now empty courtyard. Stunned at the violence, Luna didn't move. Serena stared at the blood smeared on her wedding ring as the Princess put her hand to her face and found a long stinging scratch. Amelia pushed through the now still and silent maids to take Luna's cold pale hand in her warm, work-roughened one.

“T-take her to her rooms." The princess-consort's voice shook. Luna said nothing as she was drawn away, still looking down at the blood on her fingers. 

The first snowflakes came at midafternoon and the hunting party had not returned. Luna was locked in her room with two young knights guarding the doors. Her stepmother's favorites. They would never let her out.

Instead she wrapped her old quilt around herself, pressed a hand over the plaster on her cheek and, stared out her window. It had no view of the gate but she could see the courtyard and would know when her father returned. She refused to allow herself the terror of questioning if he would return. He must. She must be wrong and overreacting. Otherwise... 

The little Princess slid from her perch on the sill and paced the room with the quilt trailing behind her. Her patchwork tail slithered erratically as she circled the room at random. Luna grabbed a stuffed rabbit and squeezed it tight in her arms. He must come home.

There was a knock on her door and Serena stepped in. Her stepmother laced her hands together, her eyes red rimmed in her white face. Makeup couldn't quite conceal the splotches of red on her cheeks or the brightness of her eyes after crying.

"Luna, sweetheart. I am so sorry for hurting you. I was frightened you'd hurt yourself. I know we don't always get along but - " She opened her arms to the little Princess who fell into them crying. Serena sank to her knees to hold Luna close.

"I'm scared." Luna whimpered. "I have such a bad feeling." 

"Do you want to see if the magic mirror can see him? With both of us seeking him we'll have a better chance of seeing him." Serena stroked back Luna's hair with a soft smile. Luna gave a tearful nod.

"Yes, please, I'd like that very much." 

"I'll have some cocoa and a snack brought. You can rest in my rooms after." Using a lace edged handkerchief Luna's stepmother wiped away her tears. Hand in hand they walked to the princess-consort's chambers, Luna's quilt still over her head and shoulders like a cloak.

Luna loved her stepmother's rooms. The bed and walls were draped in a pale blue velvet that made the room feel like it was open to the sky. The mirror hung opposite Serena's fireplace, a bubbly glass surface that cast everything in warm golden tones. Luna drifted close to it, but she knew better than to touch it. 

The princess-consort's mirror was a powerful magical object that could show a person or thing if Serena could picture it clearly enough in her mind. The mirror was linked to only her stepmother and no one was allowed to touch it, not even the maids to clean it. Serena did it herself with a specially mixed compound of herbs and pure water.

Serena stepped up and took Luna's hand, squeezing it gently. 

"Think of your father. Build his image in your mind. His hair, his eyes, his expressions." The princess-consort's voice was soothing, lulling.

Luna pictured her father in her mind's eye. Her eyes drifted closed as she saw his pale hair and the circlet of gold on his brow. His brown eyes twinkled at her from over his chalice of wine. The mirror's magic tugged at her mind but Serena was there to balance it out. Her cold fingers stroked Luna's cheek to anchor her mind in the physical world. 

"There he is. Look, Luna."

She opened her eyes, holding her breath as her stomach tightened. At the same time she relaxed because he was there, his face serious as he spoke to one of the hunt masters. Luna turned to press her face to her stepmother's side, tears in her eyes. Her father was safe. She felt Serena's hand stroke her hair.

"Come now, you're already tired and the magic takes from you." Luna let herself be guided to the plush couch and sipped the cocoa put in her hands. She hardly noticed when the half empty cup was taken from her hands, curling up under the old quilt.

Serena sat by her, a cool hand on the side of Luna's head. The girl rested her temple on the velvet of her stepmother's skirts. "Let me tell you a story my mother told me about how this world was born and where magic comes from." Her voice was soft and lulling, Luna nodded fractionally as Serena went on.

"Once two Divine beings built a universe with their dance. There were many souls but some were special, given a spark of divinity from the creators themselves, the power to change their own worlds. All was good, these marked souls were drawn to each other through peril and wonder to create beautiful magical stories that endured through time. The Divines were delighted - or at least one was." Luna closed her eyes imagining the beings of shimmering stars twirling and spinning together. Serena's words seemed distant as sleep tugged at her.

"The divinely marked souls began to vanish, crying out and then extinguishing. Realizing that her companion was devouring their creations she gathered the last of these special souls and fled where he could not pursue. 

"Her grief flavored the single little world she built for her remaining creations, making their stories darker than she ever intended. The darkness grieved her more still and it affects us to this day as tragedy and misfortune. 

"But that's where the magic comes from too, that divine spark that lives in us, the Goddess' chosen people." Serena's fingers carded the girl's pale hair tenderly as her stepdaughter's breathing evened into sleep. 

Luna woke to a distant sound in the courtyard - the deep grinding of the great gates opening - Luna ran for the window. The hunting party was back - she could see the massive body of the boar laying on the stone. But not her father's horse, nor the King himself. Jaeger turned into her view with a limp body braced before him on his steed, gold flashing on the pale brow. The courtyard boiled into action with people running about like ants. The snowflakes whirled to the flagstones below.

Seven drops of the Queen's blood fell onto the moonlit snow. They burned little blue holes and vanished. Something crunched in the snow close by and she looked up to meet the gleaming eyes of the wolves gathered around her.